17 Travel Resolutions We're Making for 2012

After thousands of stories and countless countries in 2011, we're more than ready to begin a fresh year. Before we hit 2012, however, we're making a few resolutions. Travel resolutions. It goes beyond losing weight or promising to do our laundry more frequently; these tackle how we interact with the world.

And now, without further ado, 17 travel resolutions for 2012 from Jaunted's regular, frequent-traveling contributors:

Alex: To make a bigger effort to travel via bus. As long as every seat isn't packed, and the heating works, it can be a very relaxing, scenic way to get around. Plus, a month-long travel pass is only $456. I can cram a lot of bus-hopping into 30 days!

Andy: To keep my "newbie" spirit of wonderment and awe even on short haul flights and 5-minute San Francisco BART rides. There is travel adventure everywhere if you're open to experiencing it.

Chanize: To put together the perfect cute, but comfy travel outfit that doesn't make me look like a bum or a corporate clone, and I want to actually take time and actually *see* the places I venture to this year, not rapidly report on them with exhausted head and heart. Oh, and I will take my children somewhere that does NOT have a kids club.

Christine: I only have a handful of states left before I've been to all 50 and I would love to knock at least a couple more off the list in 2012; would love to do Minnesota and Wisconsin this year!

Cynthia: To get out and into the nature around a city. More hiking, swimming, camping, sailing and other activities that don't have me sitting in front of a laptop.

Eric: To get to another destination on my bucket list. Right now, I'm hoping for South Africa for a combination of safari and wine. I'm also going to try to make top-tier elite status on at least one airline.

Heidi: To go on an "experiential" trip, like a food or yoga retreat. Exploring a city through its food is one of my favorite ways to learn about a new culture, and as an active yogi, I've always wanted to get my Vinyasa Flow on in a beautiful, om-inducing environment.

Julia: To ignore other people when they tell me I'd love somewhere, and go with my gut (often I find I don't actually love it). Also, to go east. Anywhere from Dubai onwards is covered by this, though my top 3 would be China, Thailand, and to finally make it to India.

Juliana: To not to get too stressed out thinking about flying with a 1-year-old. I have family across the country so I'm going to have to deal with it.

Kyle: To be less ashamed of my lack of foreign language skills. A little less 'parlez-vous anglais' ... and a lot more going for the local tongue.

Max: To visit South Africa. I've been working with a music producer from Cape Town and, from what he (and others) are telling me, it's just a stunning part of the world. Also to read more. I want to commit to balancing technology and real books. I'm far too addicted to my MacBookPro and iPhone and have slacked in reading real books (not kindle/iPad) and want to force myself to do that more. Finally, to lose fewer clothes! I have to develop a system of inventory before leaving a hotel room so I don't leave clothes behind.

Omri: To book more than 50% of my flights more than 7 days before they depart. Or more than 25% of flights, as a modest start.

Rayme: To not hoard miles. I will actually use the airmiles I have, but not actually with the airline on which they were earned.

Rebecca F: As the parent of a child with autism, I am the first to admit that I tend to overly shelter my four-year-old son. This year, I vow to find more ways to make travel more tolerable to my son, from choosing a long meandering road trip with frequent leg-stretching stops instead of the quickness of a non-stop flight that's more physically restrictive to seeking out the advice of the more well-traveled (cough, Jaunted, cough) for tips on how to give my son the world without encroaching too much on his.

Rebecca W: To finally make a decent go of learning Spanish. At least enough to reduce the need for pointing during conversations.

Sara: To introduce my daughter Lucy (who is four) to other cultures. She's already comfortable with air travel and has flown almost every month since she was born. My job as a flight attendant affords me a lot of time off and I plan on taking advantage of that by renting houses and/or apartments through sites like VRBO.com and spending time in other states and countries.